# NTSB GAA18CA151: Cessna 172, N2221R, Lakeland, FL, March 7, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 7, 2018, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Lakeland, FL - Coordinates: 27.988056, -82.019721 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9881&lon=-82.0197&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 14, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96842 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA151 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96842/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96842 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA151 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s improper landing flare in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a bounced landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 75 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The solo student pilot reported that, during the approach, the "winds got very powerful," He added that the winds were "too strong and out of [his] capacity and personal minimums." During the landing, the airplane landed flat and bounced twice. He then taxied to park without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system about 2 nautical miles from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 340° at 9 knots, gusting to 15 knots. The student pilot landed on runway 27. ## Factual narrative The solo student pilot reported that during the approach, the "winds got very powerful". He added that, the winds were "too strong and out of [his] capacity and personal minimums". During the landing, the airplane landed flat and bounced a couple of times. He then taxied to park without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system about 2 nautical miles from the accident site reported, that about the time of the accident, the wind was from 340° at 9 knots, gusting to 15 knots. The student pilot landed on runway 27. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2221R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2221R), registered now, S/N 17280681, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (R) - Registry model: [Cessna 172R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172r) (registry code 2072401) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17280681 - Year built: 1998 - Airframe hours: 8326.2 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: International Aero Academy - Registered owner: Christiansen Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 5, 2018 - Departed: LAL, Lakeland, FL - Destination: LAL, Lakeland, FL - Airport: LAL, Lakeland Linder Rgnl, runway 27, 8,499 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 18; injuries: none; student; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 69.5 total, 69.5 in this make and model, 7.5 as pilot in command, 43.9 in the last 90 days, 37.2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 9 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KLAL, 2 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20180307001529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180307001529A), Mar 7, 2018: Cessna 172R, Lakeland, FL, Substantial damage. Pilot reported the following: purpose of flight was solo pattern work at klal. Weather briefing obtained from ATIS before takeoff and wins were at 340/10… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 19, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96842. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 818 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462052&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Pictures (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 866 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462053&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Pictures-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.